Spectacle cases and method of making same



May 10, 1955 c. A. BARATELLI I 2,708,025

SPECTACLE CASES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME I Filed March 24, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES A. BARATELU ATTO NEI'" May 10, 1955 c. A. BARATELLI 3 5 SPECTACLE CASES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed March 24, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CHARLE$ A. BARATELL! ATTORNEY United States Patent SPEQTACLE CASES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Charles A. Baratelli, Southbridge, -Mass., assignor to American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass., a voluntary association of Massachusetts Appiication March 24, 1953, Serial No. 344,294

Claims. (Cl. 206-5) This invention relates to improvements in cases and has particular reference to the provision of a simple,

eflicient, and novel construction of spectacle case of flexible material and method of making the same, having a reinforced main pocket portion and closure means in the form of an integral flap.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a novel, simplified construction of case of the above character and method of making the same whereby the final shape and dimensional characteristics of the parts may be more positively controlled and greater ease and accuracy in the correlation and assemblage of said parts is afforded.

Another object is to provide a spectacle case which will be extremely light in weight and yet afford maximum protection for spectacles when placed therein.

Another object is to provide a case of the above character wherein the means for securing the flap in closed position relative to the main pocket portion of the case is concealed from view.

Another object is to provide means for securing the flap in closed position relative to the main pocket portion of the case whereby the space between the front wall of the pocket portion and the overlying portion of the flap is variable to compensate for temples having different cross sectional dimensions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and :it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement of parts and method shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction, arrangement of'parts and method shown and described as the preferred forms only have been given by way of illustration.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the spectacle case embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 showing the flap in open position and diagrammatically showing the position of spectacles in said case;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on line 3-3 of Fig. l and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view diagrammatically showing the function of the securing means of Fig. 3 in assuming different spaced relations of the flap with respect to the front wall of the main pocket portion of the case to compensate for temples having different cross sectional dimensions;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank of flexible material which defines the main pocket portion and flap of the case embodying the invention;

Fig. .6 is a view generally similar to Fig. l of a modified form of spectacle case; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken 2,708,025 Patented May 10, 1955 ice as on line 7-7 of Fig. 6 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, the case embodying the invention comprises a main pocket portion 10 and an integral flap portion 11 formed of. flexible sheet material, such as leather or the like. The main pocket portion and flap, as shown in Fig. .5, are blanked or otherwise cut so as 'to be in integral relation with each other and .to have a controlled contour shape and size whereby the portion 12, which constitutes the front of the main pocket portion, and the portion 13, which constitutes the rear of said main pocket portion, when folded in superimposed relation with each other along a scored line 14, will assume a proper matched relation with each other.

It is particularly pointed out that the opposed edges of the portions 12 and 13 have identical contour shapes and that each of said edges are shaped to curve inwardly along a similar arc, as shown at 39, to meet the scored line or line of fold 14.

The upper portion 15 has its side contour edges converging upwardly and inwardly so that when folded they will follow the downwardly converging sides of the case. An opening 16 is formed in the portion 12 simultaneously to the blanking operation. The line of fold 14 is scored, as illustrated at 17 in Fig. 3, to afford ease and accuracy in locating the fold and to insure the proper positioning of the portions 12 and 13 in superimposed aligned relation with each other and for ease and accuracy in locating and forming stitchings .18 throughout the sides and bottom of the main pocket portion. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 through 4 a separate tongue portion 19 is formed of a material similar to the material of the pocket and flap portions and is blanked or otherwise formed to a desired contour shape and to simultaneously form an opening 20 therein. The tongue 19 has a female member 21 of a snap fastener secured in the opening 20. The tongue 19 is folded so as to position the outer portion of the female member 21 between the material of the tongue whereby it will be concealed from view. The tongue is folded along the edge 22 and the folded portions 23 and 24 of said tongue are secured to the flap 11 as by stitchings or other means, as shown at 25 in Fig. 3. The portions 23 and 24 are positioned to overlie the respective inner and outer surfaces of the flap prior to forming said stitchings. A liner 26 of plastic or similar lightweight material preferably formed by injection molding has outer and inner wall portions 27 and 28 joined in integral spaced relation with each other. The liner is formed to a cuplike shape and size to intimately fit within the main pocket portion 10 of the case. To maintain the desired spaced relation of the front and rear walls, spacer means 29 :are secured internally thereof.

The liner 26 is controlled dimensionally to fit rela: tively intimately within said main pocket portion 10 and is provided in the front wall thereof with an opening 30 aligned with the opening 16 of the main pocket portion and in which is secured the male portion 31 of snap fastener means. Said male portion 31 is adapted to be interconnected with the female portion 21 carried by the tongue 19 to secure the flap '11 in closed position. The inwardly disposed portion 24 of the tongue 19, as shown in Figs. 3

v and 4, is of a length sufiicient to permit the flap to assume different spaced relations with the front wall of the case whereby .temples having different cross sectional dimensions and shapes may be readily placed in desired folded superimposed relation with said front wall beneath the flap portion 11.

It is to be understood that the folded portions 23 and 24, in addition to or in place of being stitched, may be secured to the flap 11 by rivets, cementing, or other suitable means.

It is also to be understood that the liner 26 may be cemented within the main pocket portion of the case, in addition to or separately of the securing of the liner in said main pocket portion by the male part of the snap fastener means.

The contour edges of the main pocket portion may also be secured together by means other than the stitchings 18, such, for example, as by cementing, clamping, or other means.

The spacer means 29 is preferably positioned substantially centrally of the main pocket portion and adjacent the location of the central bridge portion of the mounting or spectacle to be placed in said case. A spectacle is shown in position of use in the case in Figs. 2 and 3 and is designated by the numeral 32. It is particularly pointed out that the lenses of the spectacle are faced toward the rear of the case with the temples 33 folded to lie in superimposed relation with the front wall of the case, and the combined flap 11 and tongue portion 19 is secured in folded superimposed relation with the temples and held in said relation by the snap fastener means 21 and 31.

It is particularly pointed out that the liner 26 is so dimensioned that the upper contour edge of the front wall thereof follows the adjacent contour edge of the main outer pocket portion, the said upper contour edge thence curves rearwardly at the ends of the liner along arcs of relatively short radii to blend into the upper contour edge 40 of the rear wall 28 of the liner. The rear wall of the liner is of a width considerably greater than the front wall thereof, as it is this wall that primarily overlies the lenses of a spectacle positioned in said case and thereby provides proper protection for said lenses. Due to the fact that the rear wall 28 is of a width considerably greater than the front wall 27, the opposed edges, in addition to being curved in arcs of relatively short radii, also taper upwardly to meet and blend with the edge 40.

Due to the fact that parts of the case proper, as shown in Fig. 5, are blanked in integral relation with each other and to desired controlled contour shape, each of said blankings will be dimensionally consistent with each other. Further, due to the fact that the fold line for the portions 12 and 13 is scored, the location of this line is definitely established and thereby assures proper alignment of the opposed side edges of the respective parts 12 and 13 and provides a more positive dimensional control when the said side edges are joined together by the stitchings 18 or other suitable means.

In view of the fact that the liner 26 is preferably injection molded, the dimensional characteristics thereof may be more consistently controlled and maintained. The fit of said liner with the main pocket portion of the case will, therefore, be more uniform and consistent throughout the production of such cases and a more positive assurance of the blending of the upper meeting edges of the liner and the main pocket portion of the receptacle will be maintained. The space members 29 further insure the desired intimate fit of the liner in ternally of the main pocket portion of the case and further function to reinforce the liner against possible collapse and injury to the spectacles within the case during the use thereof. The contour shapes of the pocket portion 10 and the liner 26 are so dimensionally controlled that the main pocket portion will have a so-called glove fit with said liner.

If desired, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the tongue 34 may be formed integrally with the flap 11 during the blanking thereof from flexible sheet material, as shown in Fig. 5. In this instance, the female portion 35 of the snap fastener means is sandwiched in between the tongue 34 and an inner liner member 36 which may be cemented to the tongue 34, as shown at 37, or stitched or otherwise secured to said tongue. The liner member 36 is provided with an opening 38 in which the female portion 35 is secured. The spectacle case is otherwise similar in construction to the case shown in Figs. 1 through 5.

It is to be understood that the contour shapes of the free edge of the flap 11 and tongue 34 may be made to different configurations as is also true of the case proper.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that simple, efficient and economical means and method have been provided for accomplishing all of the objects and advantages of the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A spectacle case embodying a main pocket portion and an integral flap portion formed of flexible sheet material, said main pocket portion comprising two sections divided by a scored line and having identical end edge contours, said sections being folded along said scored line to provide bottom marginal portions and said end edge contours in superimposed relation with each other, said bottom marginal portions and adjacent end edge contours of said two sections being secured together by a line of stitching, a cuplike liner of injection molded plastic material having spaced front and rear wall portions integrally joined with each other along the sides and bottom thereof by portions curving in arcs of relatively short radii to retain said front and rear wall portions in said spaced relation with each other, said liner being positioned in said pocket portion and being shaped and dimensioned so as to have a relatively intimate fit with said pocket portion, said flap extending from the rear section of the pocket portion and foldable over the front section thereof, the respective front section of said pocket portion and front wall of said liner each having an aligned opening therein, snap fastener means having a portion extending through said aligned openings and secured therein, said integral fiap portion having a separate depending tongue thereon, and snap fastener means connected with said tongue and being adapted to be detachably connected with the other snap fastener means carried by the front section of the pocket portion and front wall of the liner to secure the snap in place over said front section of the pocket portion.

2. A spectacle case embodying a main pocket portion and an integral flap portion formed of flexible sheet material, said main pocket portion comprising two sections divided by a scored line and having identically dimensioned and shaped end edge contours, said sections being folded along said scored line to lie in superimposed aligned relation with each other and having their opposed edge contours secured in connected relation with each other, said integral flap portion extending upwardly from the rear section and being foldable to overlie the front section of said pocket portion, a cuplike liner of injection molded plastic material having spaced front and rear wall portions integrally joined with each other along the sides and bottom thereof by portions curving in arcs of relatively short radii to retain said front and rear wall portions in said spaced relation with each other, said liner being positioned in said pocket portion and being shaped and dimensioned so as to have a relatively intimate fit with and cause said pocket portion to assume the shape thereof, the front section of said pocket 'por-' tion having an opening therein, snap fastener means having a portion extending through said opening and secured therein, said integral flap portion having an intermediately disposed separate tongue thereon, said tongue being comprised of a folded strip of material secured at its free ends to said flap in such manner as to produce separate superimposed layers with the inner layer hav-- ing an opening therein and snap fastener means lying between said layers so as to be concealed from view and having a portion extending through the opening and secured therein and being adapted to be detachably connected with the snap fastener means carried by the front section of the pocket portion to secure the flap portion thereto.

3. A spectacle case embodying a main pocket portion and an integral flap portion formed of flexible sheet material, said main pocket portion comprising two sections divided by a scored line and having identical end edge contours, said sections being folded along said scored line to provide bottom marginal portions and said end edge contours in superimposed relation with each other, said bottom marginal portions and adjacent end edge contours of said two sections being secured together by a line of stitching, a cuplike stiffening liner of plastic material having spaced front and rear wall portions integrally joined with each other along the sides and bottom thereof by portions curving in arcs of relatively short radii to retain said front and rear wall-portions in said spaced relation with each other, said liner being positioned in said pocket portion and being shaped and dimensioned so as to have a relatively intimate fit with said pocket portion, said fiap extending from the rear section of the pocket portion and foldable over the front section thereof, the respective front section of said pocket portion and front wall of said liner each having an aligned opening therein, a first snap fastener element having a portion extending through said aligned openings and secured therein, and a second snap fas tener element carried by said flap and being adapted to be detachably connected with the first snap fastener element carried by the front section of the pocket portion and front wall of the liner to secure the flap in place over said front section of the pocket portion.

4. A spectacle case embodying a main pocket portion and an integral flap portion formed of flexible sheet material, said main pocket portion comprising two sections having identical end edge contours and bottom marginal portions arranged in superimposed relation with each other and secured together by a line of stitching, a cuplike liner of plastic material having spaced front and rear wall portions integrally joined with each other along the sides and bottom thereof by portions curving in arcs of relatively short radii to retain said front and rear wall portions in said spaced relation with each other, said liner being positioned in said pocket portion and being shaped and dimensioned so as to have a relatively intimate fit with said pocket portion, said flap extending from the rear section of the pocket portion and foldable over the front section thereof, the respective front section of said pocket portion and front wall of said liner each having an aligned opening therein, and snap fastener means embodying a first element having a portion extending through said aligned openings and secured therein and a second element carried by said flap, said elements being adapted to be detachably connected with each other to secure the flap in place over said front section. of the pocket portion.

5. A spectacle case embodying a main pocket portion and an integral flap portion formed of flexible sheet material, said main pocket portion comprising two sections divided by a scored line and having identical end edge contours, said sections being folded along said scored line and having their said end edge contours in superimposed relation and secured together by a line of stitching, a cuplike liner of stiffening plastic material having spaced front and rear wall portions integrally joined with each other along the sides and bottom thereof by portions curving in arcs of relatively short radii to retain said front and rear wall portions in said spaced relation with each other, said liner being positioned in said pocket portion and being shaped and dimensioned so as to have a relatively intimate fit with said pocket portion, said flap extending from the rear section of the pocket portion and foldable over the front section thereof, the respective front section of said pocket portion and front wall of said liner each having an aligned opening therein, and a pair of snap fastener elements one having a portion extending through said aligned openings in the front section of the pocket and front wall of the liner and secured therein, the other snap fastener element being carried by said flap and adapted to be detachably connected with the first mentioned snap fastener element to secure the flap in place over said front section of the pocket portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,423,338 Nathan July 1, 1947 2,430,240 Nathan Nov. 4, 1947 2,616,555 Nathan Nov. 4, 1952 2,650,701 Parsell Sept. 1, 1953 

